and the power of God's chisel

since i returned home from she speaks last weekend, countless tips, lessons, and takeaways have bombarded my mind, constantly begging for attention and fighting for precedence over one another. the reflection has been incessant. intense. irresistable.

the truth is, every moment, every encounter, and every word spoken by both the attendees and the leaders stretched me. it's a strange thing to see your comfort zone so far in the distance and yet, somehow, feel safe. it was intimidating, overwhelming, and exhausting, but it was perfect. absolutely, 100%, God-ordained, wouldn't-change-it-for-the-world perfect. even writing this now, my heart overflows. it is only because of the generosity of cecil murphey and she seeks that i was able to attend, and they changed my life with the gift of their scholarship. i am grateful to them from the deepest, most sincere place in my soul.

i think that may be one reason this post so difficult to write. i have tried on so many different explanations and descriptions of the conference as people asked about my experience, but nothing fit. it's as if the weekend was too big and too powerful to wrap in words. nothing i say is even close to sufficient. so, rather than pour over details, conversations, and messages i could never capture in this space, i will share just one sweet whisper God spoke to my heart during my time in north carolina: He wants to release me. the first night of the conference, lysa terkeurst delivered a message on 'letting God chisel." as she drew a parallel between michaelangelo's 'david' and the masterpiece God sees in us, He affirmed the truth of her words in my heart; He is longing to use my disappointments, pain, and tough experiences to transform me. to make me beautiful. complete.

to set free what He has seen in me since the beginning of creation: purpose. God knows our potential. like michaelangelo, He already sees the david in the sharp, rugged, rubble of our lives. in His great wisdom, He knows the end result, the plan for each of our lives and the power hiding beneath the walls and insecurities and bitterness in our hearts. we are His, remember, and He paid a great price to secure our eternity. but we will never be what we were meant to become if we don't let Him chisel. if we don't let Him release our purpose. if we don't let Him reveal what He desperately wants the world to see: Christ in us.

the david is captivating, even breathtaking, but it is nothing compared to the Person we are called to reflect. let God chisel. let God release you from the barriers you have built up over time. let God reveal His son, our Savior, whose power and hope and love are in you, even now. be set free. you're a masterpiece.your turn!

try to to think of 3 things God has used to chisel you in the past, and then thank Him for them. i know it may not be easy or even feel natural, but this helps me remember everything He works in our lives is for our good. maybe it will remind you of His love, too. we are all a work in progress!

verses & references "people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 samuel 16:7"do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." romans 12:2"let God chisel", lysa terkeurst, she speaks 2011. www.lysaterkeurst.com